Westway plan

After part of the West Side Highway collapsed in 1973, planners proposed five alternatives, including the controversial underground Westway project. While environmental and local groups opposed it, the business sector supported it. By late 1974, Mayor Beame and Governor-elect Carey backed Westway, though Congressman Edward Koch remained opposed. As mayor in 1978, Koch agreed to support the project if the state maintained the 50-cent subway fare through 1982. When fares rose in 1980, Koch reconsidered his position, prompting urgent negotiations with Carey’s team to secure federal funding.